Union Votes on North Boone Teachers' Strike

POPLAR GROVE (WIFR) -- Teachers in the North Boone School District say they’re ready to walk out if they don’t get the contract they want.

Today the teacher’s union prepared to formally filed an “Intent to Strike” but found themselves locked out of the District Office.

However, a strike is on the table. Teachers don’t plan on striking right away. Union members say there’s been good progress in this week’s negotiations between them and the school board and the union says they’re still optimistic that a deal can be reached avoiding a strike, but that’s only if the district leaves cutting teachers’ pay schedules out of the contract.

“The district has offered us a merit pay type schedules and that actually pits members against each other and we feel that that's unacceptable. We want our teachers working together, sharing ideas and information, not trying to hide things from each other so they can earn that merit pay against somebody else,” said President of the North Boone Education Association, Kelly Hanaman.

The school board released this statement:

"The board of education is committed to reaching a settlement that is fair for the students, community and teachers within the resources available to the district in these times of dramatically decreased funding."

Negotiations will continue tonight and we will continue to update you as we learn more. The North Boone Teachers Union Represents over a hundred teachers, serving over 1,600 students.

POPLAR GROVE (WIFR) -- Teachers in the North Boone School District could go on strike. Leaders with the North Boone Education Association say they may file an intent to strike if tonight's meeting with the school board and a federal mediator doesn't reach a deal.

This is the fourth time the fourth time the three sides have sat down to negotiate.

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